BIOGRAPHY: John Russell HUNTER, M.D., Mifflin County, PA 

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The Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley, 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, and Perry, 
Pennsylvania.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, Volume I, 
pages 423-424.
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  JOHN RUSSELL HUNTER, M.D., Lewistown, Mifflin county, Pa., was born in 
Wells Valley, Fulton county, Pa., February 6, 1868. He is a son of Dr. 
Robert Irvin and Sarah A. (McClain) Hunter. The Hunters are of Scotch-Irish 
extraction, and the healing art seems part of their heritage. The 
grandfather of Dr. John R. Hunter was John Hunter, M.D. a graduate of the 
College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Glasgow, Scotland; he was a 
practitioner of Franklin county, Pa., having his home in Upper Strasburg, 
were a few years before his death, his son William succeeded to his 
practise. Dr. John Hunter married Miss Russell. Their children are: Martha 
A.; Dr. William; Mary; Dr. Robert Irvin; Mary Jane; and one that died in 
early childhood. On the maternal side, Dr. J. R. Hunter's grandparents were 
James and Mary (Gosnell) McClain, both natives of Huntingdon county. Their 
children are: Walter; Sarah Ann (Mrs. Robert I. Hunter); and Mary S. (Mrs. 
John Stunkard). Dr. Robert I. Hunter was born July 9, 1831, and his wife 
January 16, 1848; she died May 24, 1890, and the Doctor of July 15th of the 
following year. Their children are: Mary J. (Mrs. H. H. Breidenstein), born 
March 27, 1870; Alice Meta, born March 11, 1872, wife of Dr. Charles Arthur 
Roe McClain, of Huntingdon county, Pa.; Robert McClain, born May 25, 1876, 
is a student at Juniata College, Huntingdon, Pa.; and William Scott, born 
August 3, 1880, also studying at Juniata College.
  Having acquired an elementary education in the common schools of his 
native township, John R. Hunter next attended the Normal School in Fulton 
county for six terms. He then taught school for four terms in his own 
township. For two terms he was a student, and for two terms a teacher in the 
Chambersburg Academy; after which he took up the study of medicine. Taking a 
three years' course at the Medico-Chirurgical College, Philadelphia, Pa., he 
graduated in 1893, having passed his examinations most creditably. Returning 
to his home, Dr. Hunter took up the practise of his father, and continued it 
for two years and a half. In the autumn of 1895, he removed to Lewistown, 
where he has already been very successful, winning his way rapidly to 
confidence and popularity. He is a member in good standing of the Medical 
Society of Huntingdon county, and of the Pennsylvania State Medical Society; 
of Everett Lodge, No. 534, F. and A.M., Everett, Bedford county, Pa.; of 
Lodge No. 607, I.O.O.F., Wells Valley, Pa.; and of Washington Camp, P.O.S. 
of A. His political views are Democratic.
  Dr. John Russell Hunter was married, September 25 1895, to Mary C. 
daughter of Capt. Harvey and Rachel Rebecca (Piper) Wishart. Mrs. Hunter is 
a member of the Daughters of the Revolution. Dr. Hunter and his wife attend 
the Presbyterian church.
  Harvey Wishart, Mrs. Hunter's father, was born June 20, 1838, in Wells 
Valley, Fulton county, Pa. He served during the Rebellion in Company B, One 
Hundred and Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers; was enrolled August 5, 
1862, to serve nine months; participated in all the marches and battles of 
the regiment; fought at Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville; was 
discharged May 20, 1863, by reason of the expiration of his term in service. 
Mr. Wishart was commissioned as a second lieutenant, August 5, 1864, by 
Governor Curtin, to raise a company for one year; was promoted to captain of 
Company H, Two Hundred and Eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers. The regiment was 
organized September 12, 1864, with A. B. McCalmont as colonel; was ordered 
to the front at Petersburg, Va., where it remained during the siege of that 
place; participated in the movement upon Hatchers Run, in February, 1865; 
helped to retake Fort Steadman and the works in front of Petersburg, Va., 
and followed the rebels as far as Appomattox Court House, where General lee 
surrendered to General Grant, April 9, 1865.